This work contains themes and scenes intended for mature readers (18+). It explores intimacy, emotional complexity, and adult relationships through contemporary romance and erotic realism. Reader discretion is advised.
The Reconciliation
Vulnerability—Honesty—Forgiveness
Jasmin finds Cotton and explains the context of the 'case study' comment, leading both women to admit their performative tendencies and agree to start over without scripts.
An Excerpt from this Chapter...
Cotton went behind the counter. She poured two coffees. Black.
She brought them to the table. She sat down opposite Jasmin.
“I don’t know who I am if I’m not… that,” Cotton admitted. “If I’m not controlling everything.”
“You’re Cotton,” Jasmin said. “You make good coffee. You have bad taste in literature. You’re afraid of the dark.”
“I’m not afraid of the dark.”
“You sleep with a nightlight, Cotton. I’ve seen it.”
Cotton blushed. “It’s ambient lighting.”
“Sure.” Jasmin took a sip of coffee. “You’re messy, Cotton. You’re insecure. You’re mean when you’re tired.”
Cotton winced. “You’re really selling me on myself.”
“I’m not selling you,” Jasmin said. “I’m buying.”
She reached across the table. She took Cotton’s hand. Her palm was warm.
“I don’t want the Priestess,” Jasmin said. “I want the person who eats cold noodles on the floor and throws tantrums.”
Cotton looked at their hands.
“That person is a lot of work,” Cotton said.
“I’m not afraid of work,” Jasmin said.
The Walk
They closed the shop together. Jasmin put the chairs up. Cotton counted the drawer.
They walked out into the twilight. The air smelled of ocean and exhaust.
“Did you really throw away Phenomenology of Perception?” Jasmin asked.
“Yes.”
“That was a library book, Cotton. I have to pay for that.”
“I’ll buy you a new one.”
“You owe me dinner, too.”
“Fine.”
They walked toward the bookstore.
“Where are we going?” Jasmin asked.
“I need a new notebook,” Cotton said.
“For classifications?”
“No,” Cotton said. “For sketches. I used to draw. Before.”